There are a lot of things in life I simply don’t understand.
And I’m learning that’s OK.
While I used to get frustrated when things didn’t make sense to me—you know, like why humidity insists on making my hair a disaster—I’ve started to accept that there really isn’t a need to know everything about everything. That would probably be pretty overwhelming, anyway. I’m not claiming to be wise like Mr. Miyagi or Mr. Feeny, but I do believe a person can still get along in this life without having wisdom and understanding about all of those pressing questions and unknown wonders out there.
This popped into my head as Lady Gaga was singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl on Sunday. I think she has a wonderful voice, and this was one of the first times I had seen her not wearing an overly extravagant outfit. I thought her sparkly red suit was pretty appropriate for the occasion. And she belted that anthem like a lot of people can’t. But I’m sure there will still be lots of self-made critics of her posting things on social media to let people know their opinions and reviews of her performance. I’m sure we’ll hear a ton about the halftime show, too. This is one of those things I won’t ever understand: why people have to be so hateful to famous people on social media outlets. Most of us have never met these individuals, yet we somehow become experts on analyzing their every moves and knowing what they should have done in certain situations. Makes total sense.
I’ve compiled a short list of things that don’t necessarily make me feel scholarly in terms of their subject matters. Perhaps you can relate, or maybe you’ve mastered all understanding of these. Either way, I’m going to throw them out there.
So much in politics—I don’t follow the stuff that goes on in the political realm of our country, and I can’t tell you many facts about any of the candidates. What bothers me most and what I can never wrap my mind around is why so many parts of the political world seem corrupt and not at all very nice. People are always trying to dig up dirt on the candidates and their pasts and anyone affiliated with them, and it’s almost as if no one can trust anyone—which then makes it hard for the members of the public to say they trust their leaders. There are so many disagreements, and social media yet again makes it possible for people to start heated debates and criticize others. It’s tiring.
Science—I’ve given up all hope. I don’t understand anatomy, biology, physics, botany or really anything that falls under this umbrella. I did pretty well in chemistry back in the day, but I could tell you zilch about it now. I think the only way I made good grades in science was by memorizing what I needed to for tests, but all of that is gone. I think it’s great things function the ways they do, but I must leave it at that and not try to figure out why.
Financial stuff—I am trying to learn more since I work in this industry now, but there’s still a lot that I don’t get yet. Investments, the market, portfolios and more than a handful of other concepts still go over my head a little, but I’d rather not be a complete dunce. My boss would probably prefer that, too.
Men—Enough said.
Many Super Bowl commercials—Only a small number of them are actually funny anymore. Most of the ads don’t make much sense to me and sometimes leave me wondering what was actually being advertised until the very last second. Maybe they’re all trying too hard. This year was the first time in a long time that I didn’t have to take notes during the commercial breaks to discuss with my students as part of the advertising unit I taught every year at this time, so I maybe didn’t pay as much attention to the ads this time around. I did like the Buick one with Odell Beckham Jr., though. “She Odelled it.” And the one with Ryan Reynolds was definitely visually appealing. I’m pretty sure it was a Hyundai commercial. The Super Bowl babies thing was pretty neat, too. I mean, SEAL.
Intentional meanness—I know I’m not always the nicest person to everyone every single second of my life. I’ve certainly said and done things I regret that have hurt others, but I can’t wrap my mind around calculated meanness. I know a Pollyanna existence really isn’t logical, but it doesn’t hurt us to try to be nice to people as much as we can. There are lots of quotes about love that I could throw in here, but the bottom line is that love is always a better choice than hate.
There are likely more things I haven’t grasped full comprehension of just yet, but I’ve exhausted my lack of wisdom for the time being. I’m fine with not understanding all there is to understand as long as I live a life full of love and spending time with people. I think one of the best things we can give others is not necessarily knowledge but time.
And time spent loving others is never wasted or unwise.
